Have you ever thought of Heaven as a fantastic tool for sharing the gospel? If not, consider that Heaven is God’s perfect and eternal answer to:
1. The problem of human pain
“This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” 2 Corinthians 4:17
2. The pain of animals and the mismanagement of the Earth
“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:19-21
3. The desire for loving relationship
“Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God.” Revelations 22:3 (The Message)
4. The desire to be free in the body rather than trapped in the body
“The corpse that’s planted is no beauty, but when it’s raised, it’s glorious. Put in the ground weak, it comes up powerful. The seed sown is natural; the seed grown is supernatural—same seed, same body, but what a difference from when it goes down in physical mortality to when it is raised up in spiritual immortality!” 1 Corinthian 15:42-44 (The Message)
5. The longing for purpose and fulfillment as an individual
“... the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him .... and they will reign forever and ever.” Revelations 22:3-5
6. The craving for a home
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2-3
7. The perfection of the heart
“In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelations 21:25-27
8. The fear of death
“To live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
Our hope of Heaven should fill us with passion to share the Good News with everyone around us. We can present Heaven not just as a “happily ever after” ending that is disconnected from the trials and trauma of our lives today, but as the resolution, redemption, and reconciliation that we desperately need for everything that is wrong in the world today, everything that we are afraid of today, everything that is broken today, and everything that we hurt from today.
We have Good News! Let’s share it!
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